Our Suino Nero Pork

Discover the story of Suino Nero, a rare Calabrian black pig prized for its exceptional flavour and available exclusively at M&S, alongside tasty recipes that make the most of its beautifully marbled meat.

Assistant Copywriter

Florence Head

What makes Suino Nero special?

Nestled in the rolling hills of San Demetrio Corone in Calabria, the Madeo family have dedicated more than three decades to bringing the rare Suino Nero pig back from the brink of extinction. In the 1990s, with just seven pigs and a determination to preserve this native breed, they travelled across Italy searching for the last remaining black pigs. Through a combination of farming expertise, careful breeding and scientific research, they rebuilt the population to more than 5,000 animals. Today, the family-run farm is at the heart of the local community and holds M&S Select Farm status, supplying this exceptional pork exclusively to M&S.

Suino Nero stars

What is Suino Nero?

Suino Nero pigs are free to roam the Calabrian hills, foraging on herbs, roots and olives, with their diet supplemented by seasonal local vegetables such as pumpkin. This active outdoor lifestyle, combined with the breed's unique genetics, helps create beautifully marbled meat with exceptional flavour and tenderness. Surrounded by olive groves and Calabria's famous chilli peppers, the pigs enjoy a life deeply connected to the landscape, including a dedicated woodland known as the family's "wood of love", where the animals roam freely. The result is a truly distinctive pork that celebrates provenance, animal welfare and the flavours of southern Italy.

Recipes using our Suino Nero

Looking for ways to put Suino Nero centre stage? Discover our range of recipes, including a family favourite carbonara and a refreshing summer salad.

Tom’s suino nero, tomato and chilli penne

We’ve teamed up with top chef Tom Kerridge to create this speedy pasta recipe, where the star ingredient is Suino Nero pancetta. As it cooks, the pancetta renders down to bring incredible richness and depth to the sauce, with a savoury, melt-in-the-mouth flavour. Balanced with sweet shallots, garlic and a gentle warmth from chilli, it’s an easy Italian-inspired dinner that lets the quality of the ingredients shine.

Make the pasta

Tom’s summer salad with peas and pancetta

A fresh, summery take on a classic, this vibrant salad pairs crisp Suino Nero pancetta with sweet peas, crunchy croutons and soft-set eggs. Finished with a creamy, punchy dressing, it strikes the perfect balance between rich, salty and fresh flavours, making it ideal for lunch or a lighter summer supper.

See the recipe

Melon and Suino Nero salad

Juicy cantaloupe, sweet cherry tomatoes and cooling cucumber are paired with our Suino Nero selection, bringing rich, savoury notes from Calabria's iconic Suino Nero pork.. Featuring spicy salsiccia, salame, capocollo and lombo, the cured meats add contrast to fresh pesto-marinated mozzarella and a bright lemon and basil dressing.

See the salad recipe

Classic carbonara

Try this carbonara made with Suino Nero pancetta with black pepper. As it crisps, the pancetta releases its savoury flavour into the sauce, pairing perfectly with golden yolk eggs, plenty of cheese and our Single Grain Pache Pasta.

Make the carbonara

Sweet potato gnocchi with creamy leeks and ‘nduja

Our Suino Nero ’nduja is the star of this dinner-party-worthy gnocchi recipe. Tuck into soft pillows of homemade sweet potato gnocchi coated in a creamy leek sauce, spiced with flavour-packed Calabrian pork and chilli paste.

Make this gnocchi

Published 15/07/2026